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Honor Thy President

By Barry Glick aka Glicksterus maximus

I am referring to our 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson, and the plant named to honor his memory and all of the wonderful things that he's done for agriculture and horticulture, Jeffersonia diphylla. You can read more about Jefferson and his home Monticello at - http://www.monticello.org/

Jeffersonia diphylla is an early blooming, long lived, shade perennial that's extremely hardy and very easy to grow in virtually any climate. One glance at the image and you'll instantly understand why the common name is "Twinleaf".

At maturity, the height is 12" - 24". Its spread can be up to 24" and its imposing stature is almost shrublike. The pure white flowers are about an inch across and although very ephemeral, they are produced in abundance and make a striking display. One of the neatest things about Jeffersonia is the unique seed capsules, however, I can't find a picture to show you. Oh, oh! Wait a minute. I just found one - http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/image/j/jedi--frdevel34473.htm Wish I could find an image of the capsules opening with the seeds pouring out, but here's a nice botanical illustration - http://www.science-art.com/gallery/11/11_8252004164753.jpg

I know of no insect, pest or disease problems affecting Jeffersonia and the foliage stays attractive the growing season long, a very unusual attribute for such an early Spring wildflower.

It's hard to believe that the genus Jeffersonia is in the same family as Barberry, the Berberidaceae family. There are many other desirable plants in this family such as Epimedium and Podophyllum and one of my other favorites, Diphylleia cymosa - http://sunfarm.com/picks/diphylleiacymosa-115422.phtml.

A good image of Jeffersonia diphylla in flower can be found at - http://web.bsu.edu/fseec/environment/ECI/FloraECI/jeffersonia_diphylla_flower3.jpg and an awesome close up at - http://botany.wisc.edu/wisflora/pictures/xl_photos/JEFDIP_TSC_XL.jpg

A related Asian species exists, Jeffersonia dubia. You can read more about Jeffersonia dubia at the North American Rock Garden Society (NARGS) website - http://www.nargs.org/potm/potm_may02.html

Barry Glick aka Glicksterus maximus aka The Cyber-Plantsman

Take a virtual tour of the gardens at http://www.sunfarm.com/tour/